May the children of the stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants, while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.
-George Washington
Why can't the inhabitants of this country believe in the ideas that this country was founded on? Most people's ancestors came to this country due to religious prosecution (some of mine did, the other half was state-less and coming from a war torn country, and within these last fifty years) and now see no issue in doing the same. Park51, the "Ground Zero Mosque", will be two blocks north of the World Trade Center site. It will have a large Islamic "prayer room" but the rest of the building will have classrooms, an auditorium, galleries, a restaurant, and even a September 11 memorial. Maybe I would feel differently if I had a family member that was killed in the attacks or if I actually lived in New York City. It's disconcerting that this many people are worked up about it, many of them having just as much connection as I do. I am not offended that there is a memorial in Washington D.C. for the soldiers that died in Vietnam, I think the rest of us can handle a little religious freedom around here. I've also come to realize that the decision to be tolerant comes a lot harder if you have never had an experience where some one persecutes you for your beliefs, your gender, or your race. It's a little harder to put yourself in someone else's shoes, so I respect the people that can, and do and socially supposedly have everything handed to them.
Okay, rant over, for now... half developed.
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